Asparagus was one of the first leafy greens whose growing season comes in late winter, and is available in the market in early spring. How to grow stalks of these nutrient-rich masters in your garden? Start from seed, or for faster results, plant the shoots. Once established, asparagus plants produce shoots each spring for 12 to 25 years.
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Method 1 of 5: Preparing to Plant Asparagus
Step 1. Find out if asparagus grows well in your area
Asparagus grows best in areas that have one of these weathers, cold winters to freezing soil, or very dry summers. Asparagus is a hardy and adaptable plant, but it will be more difficult to grow in areas with mild winters and humid summers, such as on the Gulf Coast of the United States.
Step 2. Decide whether you will start planting from seed or shoots
Asparagus seeds need at least 3 years to grow until they are ready to be harvested. During the first season the seeds will sprout, and after that it takes two years for the asparagus to have established, long, spongy roots that grow into the soil. When you plant shoots, you can skip the first season and go straight to the root stage, so you only need to plant 2 years before you can harvest.
Step 3. Asparagus seeds have a low germination rate, so it is more difficult to know exactly how many plants you will get
However, well-established seeds tend to grow into strong plants that last longer and produce more shoots than plants from shoots.
Asparagus shoots marked "2-year shoots" may be expected to be harvested after another year of planting. However, transplanting an asparagus plant once the roots are established can damage it, and it usually takes two full years in the same soil before it reaches full production
Step 4. Choose where to plant the asparagus
Since asparagus can produce shoots for up to 25 years, choose a site that you will set aside for asparagus for a very long time. The area should have the following characteristics:
- Full sun. Asparagus grows best in full sun. Since it grows in early spring, it's okay to choose a spot near a tree that has no leaves yet. Just make sure the asparagus growing area is not overshadowed by a group of trees or a building.
- Well drained soil. The soil should be loose and very well drained. Asparagus planted in soil full of water will rot.
- Space to plant above. This is optional, as asparagus grows well below, but when planted above will keep the soil in which the asparagus grows from weeds and drain better.
Step 5. Purchase asparagus seeds or shoots
Asparagus seeds or shoots can be purchased at home or garden supply stores, a nursery, or online. Seeds are available year-round, but shoots are usually sold in early spring, just before planting time.
- Asparagus plants are monoecious, which means that each plant has a male and a female. Female plants use energy to produce seeds, so do not produce as many shoots as males. Some types of asparagus have been engineered to produce male plants only. If you choose one like this, you will only need to plant half the number of shoots required if you are planting a variety that produces a mixture of males and females.
- Asparagus seeds are usually not sex-separated, so female plants are usually removed after sprouting.
- Choose a variety that is resistant to rust, such as one of the many "Jersey" or "Mary Washington" varieties.
- When you buy buds, choose healthy-looking shoots that are gray-brown, large and plump. Buy the day before planting.
- Purple asparagus and heirloom varieties are available in nurseries. You can produce white asparagus by protecting the shoots from the sun with soil.
Method 2 of 5: Growing Asparagus from Seed
Step 1. Start planting seeds indoors
In early spring, sow the seeds in small pots to start seeding. Place the pots in full sun, water every day, and keep the temperature at 25 degrees Celsius.
Step 2. Lower the temperature when the seeds germinate
After sprouting, the seeds do not need to be kept warm. Lower the temperature to 21 degrees Celsius.
Step 3. Plant the shoots outdoors
When the shoots are 30 cm high, and the weather is getting warmer, it's time to plant outside in the nursery ground. Dig a hole of about 7.5 cm so that it can continue to grow.
Step 4. Remove the female plants
When the plant begins to produce flowers, you will be able to tell which ones are male and which are female. Male plants have large and long flowers, and female plants have small flowers. Pull out female plants and make compost.
Step 5. Move the male plant to a permanent planting site
Allow the male plants to complete their growth cycle and overwinter the permanent planting soil. The following spring, one year after sprouting, they have reached maturity as one-year-old shoots, and are ready to be transferred to a permanent planting site. Follow these steps to continue breeding plants.
Method 3 of 5: Planting One Year Old Sprouts
Step 1. Prepare the soil for planting
Remove weeds from the planting area, making sure that no roots remain in the soil. Rake the soil and mix with manure, compost, natural fertilizer (blood or bone meal) to a depth of 25 to 38 cm.
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Dig a trench for planting. Trenches are dug 15 to 30 cm deep and about 30 cm wide. If you are planting multiple rows, space the trenches 0.6 to 0.9 m.
Plant Asparagus Step 11Bullet1 -
Make a ridge in the trench. Mix the soil from the trench with organic compost, and spread it 5 to 7 cm thick in the center of the bottom of the trench to form a ridge.
Plant Asparagus Step 11Bullet2 - You can also mix the soil with rock phosphate, a mineral powder that supports root growth.
Step 2. Soak the shoots
Place the shoots in a bucket of warm water or compost tea (full of nutrients for the plant) for 15 minutes before planting.
Step 3. Plant the shoots
Place the shoots in a trench, spaced 30 to 45 cm apart. Cover the roots on the side of the ridge.
- Cover the roots and shoots with soil. Place the soil up to 5 to 7 cm above the roots and above the shoots.
- Water the planting area evenly after planting.
Step 4. Pile the soil on top of the soil
When the asparagus plant begins to grow and the soil is well established, add soil over the shoots. Place soil up to 2 to 7 cm above the shoots every 2 to 3 weeks until the trench is filled to level with the surrounding soil.
Step 5. Sprinkle the plants with straw and grass
Spread hay and grass 10 to 20 cm around the plants after filling the trench. Sprinkling plants with hay and grass helps prevent weeds from growing and helps retain soil moisture.
Method 4 of 5: Taking Care of Plants When They Are Grown Up
Step 1. Water the plant regularly
Asparagus plants will reach maturity two growing seasons. Meanwhile, keep the soil moist.
Step 2. Remove the weeds around the plant
Asparagus plants will die if they have to compete for nutrients with weeds, grass, and other plants. Care for the soil well as long as the plant reaches maturity. As it gets older, the roots in asparagus will naturally get rid of weeds.
Step 3. Give the plant fertilizer and hay and leaves
In spring, fertilize asparagus plants with a liquid fertilizer to encourage growth. During the winter, protect the plant from the cold by covering it with straw or adding more mix of hay and leaves.
Step 4. Watch for pests and plants
Asparagus plants are susceptible to asparagus beetles, which feed on the fern-like leaves of asparagus during summer and spring. Beetles lay their eggs on asparagus leaves. When you see a beetle or its eggs, pick them up and get rid of them.
Method 5 of 5: Harvest Asparagus
Step 1. Pick the shoots
After 3 years, or 2 years if you start planting from shoots, it's time to enjoy your harvest. Cut the shoots every few days using a sharp knife or shears. As your plant produces more shoots, you can harvest more often.
- The shoots are ready to be harvested when they are about 15 cm high, and the tips begin to loosen.
- Limit the first harvest to 2 to 3 weeks, pick the shoots every few days, and don't pick too much from the same plant. After that, the plant needs to be able to devote energy to its root system.
- The following year, extend the harvest time to 4 or 5 weeks. And in subsequent years you can extend it up to 6 weeks.
Step 2. Prepare the plants for next year
At the end of the growing season, stop picking the shoots and allow them to grow to their natural height. Keep the soil around the asparagus free of weeds and pests during the summer. In autumn, cut the fern leaves and remove them from the asparagus growing area until the pests do not survive the winter in the asparagus growing area.
